Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Lando Norris missed a crucial opportunity to challenge Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix, describing the young Briton as “too nice” during their wheel-to-wheel battle. The race in Austin added fuel to the brewing rivalry between the two drivers, as Norris once again found himself conceding points to Verstappen in the championship fight.
At the start of the race, Norris, who began from pole position, was quickly overtaken by Verstappen after being forced wide, leaving him without racing room—an issue that has become a recurring theme in their on-track battles. Herbert, now an FIA steward, was intrigued by how Norris handled the situation and feels the McLaren driver could have been more aggressive.
“Too nice is probably one way of using it,” Herbert said, reflecting on the race. “I think it’s probably being not quite aware enough of what was needed to stop Max Verstappen. For me, it was just about shutting the door, then let him [Verstappen] try and work his way around you, but why leave that gap open?”
This criticism isn’t new for Norris, who has often been viewed as lacking the aggressive edge needed to truly challenge Verstappen on track. By being more passive, Norris allowed Verstappen to extend his lead in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship. Currently, Norris trails Verstappen by 57 points, putting him at a significant disadvantage as the season approaches its climax.
Herbert also commented on what Norris needs to mount a realistic title challenge, suggesting that he will need help from other teams to take points away from Verstappen. “They’re going to be in the mix. They’re going to take points probably more so off of Max. That’s what Lando needs. He needs a little bit of help from the others to take those points away from them,” Herbert explained.
While McLaren has shown significant improvement throughout the season, their struggles in Austin revealed how difficult it will be for Norris to claw his way back into contention. Despite the potential for a title challenge, the odds remain stacked against Norris, with Verstappen still the overwhelming favorite to secure his 2024 Drivers’ Championship title, as echoed by other former world champions.
Norris will need to adopt a more aggressive mindset in future battles with Verstappen if he hopes to close the gap and reignite his championship hopes. However, with time running out, the path to his maiden title seems increasingly difficult, requiring not just his best efforts but also some missteps from his rivals.
